Lubricating and sealing drain device



Nov. 24, 1942. F. B. EILERS I 0 ,9

LUBRICATING AND SEALING DRAIN,DEVICE Filed April 24 19:59 2 Sheets-Sheet '1 I B?"- Frazzj? 2 FE??? ATTORNEY,

Nov'. 24,1 942- H as. EILERS Lunnmmme AND smuue DRAIN DEVICE- 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed-April 24. 1939' INVENTOR.

BY. amjlers' ATTORNEYQ Patented Nov. 1&4, 1942 zsesm LUBRlCATING AND sesame imam a nsvrcs -v .Frank B. Eilers, I'ort Wayne, Ind., assignor to Tokheim Oil Tank and Pump tiompany, Fort" Wayne, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application April 24. less, Serial No. 20am Claims. .(OL, 184-8) v This invention relates to mechanisms adaptable for use with pumping means disposed in liquid fuel lines and particularly is it adaptable for liquid'dispensing systems for dispensing or handling dangerous liquids such as gasoline, naphtha and petroleum-products and otherin-' ternal combustion engine fuels.

In liquid flow systems, and particularly liquid dispensing sys'tems,,pumps of various types are generally employed fordrawing a liquid from a source of supply :and for forcing the liquid through the iiow 9r dispensing line. In one aspect the invention is concerned with a provision of means for utilizing the liquid which is forced by'the pump for lubricating the bearings of the pump shaft and includes sealing means for the shaft for preventing any of such liquid to pass to Y the atmosphere and. thereby creating a dre hazard. Therefore, among the objects of .the present invention are to provide in a liquid distributing or dispensing system, includinga pump and its shaft a bearing means for lubricating such shaft and bearings, with the liquid being circulated by the pump and-for providing sealing means for said shaft and bearings, the arrange:

liquid passing to the atmosphere and thereby avoiding fire hazard; to provide such a seal as will preclude leakage, while at the same time -reducing to the minimum frictionalresistance; to provide a self-lubricating seal for the shaft and bearings of the pump which permits a minimum passage of liquid throughthe seal; to provide a seal for apump wherein inflammable liquid is forced under pressure through the liquid circulating line and wherein aportion of such liquid:

is forced through the bearing of the pump'shaft for lubrication purposes and wherein any excess of such lubricant liquid passing the seal is automatically returned to the system, and preferably returned to the suction side of thepump, whereby to preclude a leakage'of such liquid to atmosphere; to provide self sealing and self lubricating means for a pump shaft and'its bearings wherein' the liquid pumped is utilized as a lubricant and wherein excess of such lubricant passing. the

of the pump during operation of the pump, but is precluded from such return during idle periods of the pump, whereby to prevent loss of prime of the pump and whereby to prevent leakage of liquid on the discharge side of the pump through the bearings and seal and back to the suction side of the pump; to provide in connection with bearings handling inflammable liquids, mechanism adapted when the pump is operating to return the excess liquid lubricant passing the sealing means back to the suction side of the pump.

and adapted during prolonged idleness of the 1 pump to accumulate such excess liquid in a manner suchthat during such periods of prolonged idleness atmospheric air is thereby precluded from reaching the suction sideof the pump; to provide in a gasoline orother motorfuel dispensing system using a pump for forcing a liquid fuel through 'dispensingline,- mechanism associated with the liquid flow line for, automatically returning a portion of the liquid back to a portion' of the line, and particularly back to the suction 'side of the pump and said automatic operation being initiated by a change in the condition of flow of the liquid in'such flow line; to provide means associated with a gasoline or other motor fuel dispensing line and actuated bythe flow of the liquid in thedispensing line for. returning a portion of-such liquid back to some portion of the dispensing line orflow line, and particularly back to the suction sideof the pump; to provide ll ments being such as to prevent the lubricating a valve and valve actuating means for a liquid I flow line, and particularly for a gasoline or other {motor fuel. dispensing line, wherein the velocity vide valve actuating means for a liquid flow line,' particularly for a motor fuel dispensing system.

of flow of the liquid through the line is utilized for operating the valve operating means; to prowherein the velocity of flow of the liquid through a portion ofthe line "opens a valve in another portion of the line through which the liquid is not flowing; to provide valve actuating means for a liquid flow line, and particularly for a motor fuel dispe i g system wherein the cessation of flow in one portion of the line. closes a valve in another portion of the line'through which liquid seal is automatically returnedto the suction side v self sealing and self lubricating means for pump 55 is flowing; to provide these and other objects of invention as will be apparent from aperusal of I the following specincationwhen taken in connection with the drawings wherein: Figure 1 shows a rotary gear pump in section taken'on line l-l of Pig. 4.

'Figure 2 is an enlarged sectionalview taken on' line 1-4 of Fig. 1, and showing the structure of the drain valve.

mgure3isa'viewofthesealastakenonline 3-3 of Fig.1.

v Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pump and its'respective parts as shown by line 4-4 of Fig. 1. i

. Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line H of Fig. 4 showing the operating mechanism for the drain valve.

. or other motor fuel.

The present invention is disclosed with reference to any type of liquid circulation system wherein a pump is utilized in the system for forcing the liquid therethrough; preferably the invention is illustrated in connection with a por tion of a dispensing line forming a part of a system for dispensing inflammable liquids, in-

. eluding a foot valve or an angle valve of the usual construction, an electric motor driven pump of the type herein illustrated for drawing the liquid from the tank and for forcing the same through the dispensing line; also in the dispensing line on the discharge side of the pump is located the usual type of volume and/or price indicating or computing means. In addition, the discharge side of the meter includes theusual sight-glass and the usual fiemble hose which terminates in a dispensing nozzle, preferably valve-controlled. in certain aspectsthe present invention is concerned with the pump for use for this dispensing or, from a broader aspect, for a pump with any liquid flow line. The particular aspectof the invention, insofar as the pump is concerned, is the provision of means by which a portion of the liquid forced by the pump through the liquid flow line is utilized for lubricating the bearings of the pump shaft and sealing means, as provided for preventing excess of such lubricant liquid escaping to atmospheric air or leaking past the hearings. In connection with this sealing means and the pump bearings, means is provided for automatically returning excess liquid which passes the sealing means to the system or to the suction side ofthe pump and also at pre determined times for precluding its return to the suction side of the pump for collecting it in a pool or reservoir utilized during prolonged idleness of the pump for preventing atmospheric air entering the suction side of the pump and, likewise forpreventing liquid at the discharge side of the pump passing through the pump bearings and back to the suction side of the pump.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, there is shown rotary gear pump having 9. preferably horizontal driving shaft about which is a rotating seal. The particular type of pump and the particulartype of seal do not constitute a part of this invention, as any type of pump any type of seal may be used. For purposes of illustration and not by way of limitation, there is shown a main pump body 6 provided with a pump rotor 22 securely attached to the pump shaft 3 by means of pin 3. Attached to pump body i by means or" screws is a pump head 8. Securely pressed in this head is stationary pin 1 serving as the pintle for the idler gear 3 of the pump. Figure 4 shows better that teeth 9 of the rotor 2 are enmeshed with teeth to of the idler ti. The pintle J is eccentric with the main shaft of the pump, thereby causing a space between the teeth of the respective gears in one side or the pump. This space is filled by a protruding crescent-shaped member i 0 extending from the head 6. The pump is provided with an inlet chamber and an outlet E3. The delivery or suction side of the pump communicating with chamber the two together.

i2 is shown at H, while the discharge pipe from the discharge pump chamber I3 is shown at 15.

The bearings for the pump shaft comprise two preferably bronze bearings l6 and I1 suitably spaced apart. These bearings are press-fitted in the body I and provide journals for the pump shaft 3. Bearings 11 is provided with an oil groove 3 which is fed by the conventional oil hole 19 passing through the housing I. Bearing i6 is lubricated by the liquid that the pump is delivering. This liquid is forced or works its way past the gears in the pump and flows between bearing l6 and the shaft 3. As this lubricant liquid reaches the outer end of the bearing I8 it is prevented from passing axially along the shaft 3 by a synthetic rubber ring 20 which is preferably of L-shaped cross-section. A ring 2| which is of some suitable material having low frictional resistance is held against the bearing IS by a spring 22. This spring forces the retaining ring 23 against the outer flange of the ring 20 and against the sealing ring 2|. A collar 24 holds the inner portion of ring 20 tightly against the shaft 3. The frictional resistance of ring 20 causes it to be driven by the shaft 3 and this in turn drives the other elements associated therewith, including the sealing ring Zl. At the outer end of this seal there is provided a retaining ring 25 against which a spring 22 abuts.

Oil from the bearing l1 works inwardly and lubricates the surface between the retaining ring 25 and the bearing I1. It can therefore be seen that the spring, seal and other members rotate with the shaft. The actual seal is at 28. In order to assure that these various parts will retate, means is-provided to interlock them together. This is best shown in Fig. 3. The retaining ring 25 is provided with an indentation 27 in its face which is acted upon by the end of the spring 22 and drives it. The spring is driven by a lug 28 extending from the collar 23. To assure the collar 23 and the sealing ring 2! rotating an indentation 28 is provided for locking The specific structure of this seal is no part of the present invention except insofar as it enters into combination with the other features and structures herein set forth. It is to be understood that these seals operate very efllciently. However, some liquid will pass the sealing portion and provision must be made for taking care of this liquid to prevent it from possibly leaking to atmosphere and thereby constituting a fire hazard where the liquid by nature is inflammable. In certain of the aspects of the present invention, it resides in the provision of means for taking care of or draining the sealing chamber of this excess liquid lubricant. To this end above the seal and extending downwardly is a chamber 30 which has in its bottom wall a valve 3|. This valve allows communication between the sealing chamber and the suction side of the pump during the operation of the pump.

The valve body 32 which is preferably made of a die casting is secured to the pump body by means of screws 33. On the lower face are two extending arms 34 which support and operate arm 35 by means of pin 36. In the top of the valve body is a small bore 31 and on the inner side surrounding said bore is an outwardly extending valve seat. Valve means is provided for cooperation with this seat and comprises sealing material such as cork or synthetic rubber supported in valve 38, the lower end of the valve being supported on a pin 39 which in turn is controlled by a lever 35. About the top of valve 32 is a screen 40 for preventing foreign matter entering the valve.

, In the operation of the device the in-flow of.

liquid from the pipe l4 tends to raise the lever 35 and this raising of the left-hand side of the lever causes the valve 38 to be drawn away from its seat and open so that any liquid which has accumulated in chamber 30 will be drawn into chamber l2 because of the vacuum present.-

When the pump is in idle position the lever 35 will ordinarily take the position shown in solid lines, Fig. 4, and will hold its associated valve 3 closed, as shown in Fig. 2. Thus it can be seen that any liquid which passes the pump seal will automatically be returned through the suction line of the pump to the system. However, it is desirable that this valve 3| be closed when the pump is in idle position so that during prolonged periods of idleness atmospheric air may notfenter the suction side of the pump, causing the pump to lose its prime; also by closing the valve 3| any liquid during prolonged idleness of the pump which might possibly return through the pump bearings and seal from the delivery pipe cannot pass to the suction line of the pump.

What I claim is new is: I 1. In a device of the class described, .in combination with means forming a liquid flow line; a pump in said line, and having a shaft and bearings therefor, means for diverting a portion of the liquid being pumped to lubricate the pump shaft bearings, means to return diverted liquid back to the suction side of the pump, andmeans operable when the pump is idle for preventing atmospheric air passing through, said return means to the suction side of the pump.

2. In a device of the class described, in combination with means forming a liquid dispensing line, a pump in said line, a liquid collecting chamber connected to the discharge side of the suction sideof the pump and means actuated by p the liquid flow for opening the valve means.

6. In a device of'the class described, in combination with means forming a liquid flow line, a pump'in said line, a mechanism to be lubricated, means for diverting a portion of the liquidbeing pumped to lubricate said mechanism,-

valve means for returning lubricant back to the suction side of the pump and means actuated by cessation of liquid flow for closing the valve means. 1

7. In a liquid dispensing system including a liquid dispensing line, a pump in said line for forcing liquid through said dispensing line, a

liquid collecting chamber, means for causing a portion of the liquid being pumped through said line to be diverted from said line to said-chamber,

' and means to return liquid collecting in said cham- -ber to the suction side of the pump, and means actuated by the movement of the liquid in said line for controlling the return of said liquid back.

to the suction side'of the pump.

8. In: combination, means forming a liquid new line, a pump in-said line, said pump having a shaft and bearings therefor, a casing enclosing said pump, said shaft and said bearings, said casing including a sump below said bearings, means for passing a portion of the pumped liquid into contact with said shaft to lubricate it," means connecting said sump to the inlet side of the pump, a valve controlling said connecting means and mechanism disposed in the flow line to be actuated by the liquid flow for actuating said valve.

9. In combination, means forming a liquidump in said flow line for .forcing liquid theret ough, said pump'having a shaft,

flow line; a

a bearing for said shaft, a seal for said bearing surrounding said shaft, means for diverting a port1on.of the pumped'l'quid along such shaft to lubricate said bearing, -mea.ns providing a pump, whereby a portion of the liquid being pumped is passed to said chamber, and valved means shiftable by the movement of the liquid flowing through the dispensing line to return liquid in said chamber to the suction side of the pump, saidvalved means automatically closing when the pump is idle to prevent atmospheric air passing tothe suction'side of the pump.

3. In a liquid dispensing device, in combination with means forming a liquid-dispensing line, a pump for forcing liquid through said line, a liquid collecting chamber, meansfor diverting a port on of the liquid being pumped through'said line to said chamber, valve means for returning liquid from said chamber back to the suction side of the pump, and means controlled by the movement of the liquid flowing through said line for controlling said valve means.

4. In a device of the class described, in combination with means forming a liquid flow line, a pump in said line having a shaft and bearings therefor, means for diverting a portion of the liquid being pumped to lubricate the bearings, valve means for returning lubricant backto the suction side of the pump and means controlled by the velocity of the liquid in a portion of the flow line for controlling the valved means.-

5. In a device of the class described, in combination with means forming a liquid flow line, a pump in said li e hav'n a shaft and bea ings therefor, means for diverting a portion of the liquid being pumped to lubricate the bearings, valve means for returning lubricant back to the lubricant-collecting chamber disposed below said bearing whereby excess lubricant escaping past said seal may flow into said collecting chamber,

a conduit connecting said collecting chamber with the inlet side of said pump, valve means for said conduit and means automatically actuated by movement of said pump for opening said valve.

10. In combination, means forming a liquid 11. In combination, means forming a liquid flow line, a pump in said flow line for forcing liquid therethrough, said pump having a shaft,

a bearing forsaid shaft, a-seal for said bearing surrounding-said shaft, means for diverting a portion of the'pumped liquid along such shaft to lubricate said bearing. means'providing a lubricant-collecting chamber disposed below said bearing whereby excess lubricant escaping past said seal may flow into said collecting chamber, a conduit connecting said collecting chamber with the inlet side of said pump, valve means for said conduit, means disposed in the path of the liquid inlet to said pump and adapted to be actuated by e the liquid as it flows to the inlet of said pump a bearing for said shaft, a seal for said bearing surrounding said shaft, means ior divertinga portion of the pumped liquid along suchshait to lubricate said bearing, means providing a lubricant-collecting chamber disposed below said bearing whereby excess lubricant escaping past said seal may flow into said collecting chamber,

a conduit connecting said collecting chamber .with the inlet side of said pump, valve means for said conduit, said valve means including a pivotally mounted actuating arm extending directly in the path of the inlet pipe to the inlet side of saidpump and adapted to be shifted by a liquid flow or actuating said valve.

13. In a device of theclassdescribed, in com bination with means towing a main liquid flow line, a pump in said line, a mechanism to be lubricated, means'ior diverting a portion of the operative when the pump attains a predetermined iiuid pumping rate for preventing air passing through said return means to the suction side of the pump.

15. In a device of the class described, in combination with means forming a main liquid flow line, a pump in said line, a mechanism to be lubricated through which fluid is to be deliveredduring the operation oi the pumping means, means for diverting a portion of the liquid being pumped by said pump from said'main flow line to said mechanism, means to return diverted liquid irom said mechanism back to the suction side of .the pump, and means operable when the velocity of the liquid in a portion 01 the flow line drops below a predetermined minimum for preventing air passing through said return means liquid being pumped:by said pump from said means operable when the pump is .idle for preventing air passing through'saidr'eturn meansto the suction side of the pump.

14. In a device oi the class described, in com;-' bination with means forming a main liquid flow line, a pump insaid line, a mechanism through which fluid is to be delivered during the operation of the pumping means, means for diverting a portion of the liquid being pumped by said pump from said main flow line to said mechanism, means to return diverted liquid from said mechanism back to the suction side of the pump, and

means operative when the pump is idle andin- 4| p p- I to the suction side of the pump.

16. Ina device of the class described, in combination with means forming a main liquid flow line, a pump in said line, amechanism to be lubricated, means for diverting a portion of the liquid being pumped by said pump from said main flow line to said mechanism to be lubricated whereby to lubricate said mechanism, means to return diverted liquid from said mechanism back to the suction side of the pump, and means controlled by thevelocity of the liquid in a portion of the flow line for preventing atmospheric air passing through said return means to the suctionside 0! the pump.

17. In a device of the bination with means forming a liquid dispensing line, a pump in said line, a liquid collecting -chamber within which liquid is adapted to be collected from a source of supply, and valve means shiitable by the movement 0! the liquid flowing through the dispensing line to transmit liquid in said collecting chamber to the suction side 01' the pump, said valve means automatically closing when the pump is idle to' prevent atmospheric air passing to the suction side of the IRANKBEILERS.

class described, in oom- 

